Whitney Mayer ’13 died of an apparent suicide Thursday night. Vice President of Student Affairs Virginia Ambler ’88 Ph.D. ’06 released this information in an e-mail to the College community Friday morning.
“A student contacted the William and Mary Police department this morning after discovering her at Lake Matoaka,” Ambler said.
Mayer was a sophomore from Plano, Texas and a Sharpe Scholar. She is the daughter of Diane and Jeffrey Mayer ’78.
Ambler said Mayer’s professors describe Mayer as having “a particular passion for biodiversity and for exploring the relationship between the environment and quality of life issues.”
Her death marks the third suicide at the College of William and Mary in the last eight months.
Ambler urged students to seek help from the counseling center if needed.
“The Counseling Center will also be open throughout the day for anyone in the W&M community who would find talking to a counselor helpful — the center is located on the second floor of Blow Hall, 221-3620,” Ambler said. “As always, counselors are on call on a 24-hour basis and can be reached after hours through the W&M Police at 221-4596. Additionally, the Residence Life staff, Dean of Students Office, campus ministers, and my office are available on a priority basis for those who need us.”
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.